The Outcasts of Poker Flat – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
What has the secret committee of Poker Flat decided to do? Why? How is this decision carried out?
answer
banish "all improper persons", hanged or brought to outskirts of town
question
What happens on the outcasts' first day together?
answer
They head toward Sandy Bar but stop because Duchess can't go any farther. They meet Tom and Piney (coming from Sandy Bar). Tom points at a cabin where the women sleep for the first night.
question
What happens on the second day in camp?
answer
They get snowed in. Uncle Billy stole meals with all their provisions and mules except what was in cabin. They play games and tell stories (entertain each other to get through day).
question
What happens to Mother Shipton? Why? What actions does Mr. Oakhurst take in the last part of the story?
answer
She dies of starvation because she saved her food for Piney. He shoots himself because he didn't get back go cabin quick enough and fire went out.
question
When the people from Poker Flat arrive at the camp, what do they find?
answer
Piney and Duchess frozen to death. Mr. Oakhurst shot himself.
question
What is the narrator's tone, or attitude, toward Poker Flat's secret committee and its "improper persons"? What words convey that tone?
answer
bitter toward committee; "made spasm of virtuous reaction", "lawless and ungovernable action"
question
What can you infer about Mr. Oakhurst's character, based on the way he treats Tom and Piney?
answer
compassionate, generous, honorable
question
What do you learn about the characters, based on the way each one behaves on the second day in camp?
answer
Mr. Oakhurst - didn't want to scare Tom and Piney (told lie about Uncle Billy). Tom - naive but good natured
question
What do you think the narrator means when he says that Oakhurst is "at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts"?
answer
strongest - seemed like natural leader, always calm and rational
weakest - when thought he failed, killed himself
question
What message, or lesson, does this story convey?
answer
because someone's accused of something, not necessarily guilty
Tough times bring out the best in people.
question
Why is Poker Flat's governing group "after somebody"?
answer
They are reacting illegally to loss of several thousand dollars, 2 valuable horses, and a prominent citizen.
question
Why does Mr. Oakhurst think that making camp on the way to Sandy Bar is a bad idea?
answer
all they have is alcohol; no provisions or equipment for delay; less than half way to Sandy Bar
question
Why is Tom Simson devoted to Mr. Oakhurst?
answer
Mr. Oakhurst won all of Simson's money but returned it to him and told him not to gamble again because not good at it.
question
Why are the outcasts trapped in the Sierras?
answer
they got snowed into a cabin
question
Where is Mr. Oakhurst's body discovered at the end of the story?
answer
beneath the snow at the head of the gulch, near one of the largest pine trees
question
What does the story suggest is most responsible for the change in the Duchess and Mother Shipton?
answer
Piney and Tom's presence, feel need to protect them because they are innocent
question
Why does Tom tell the story of the Illiad?
answer
to pass the time; allusion
question
What happens to Tom in end?
answer
he makes it back to town to find help
question
How can the mood of the end of the story be described?
answer
sad and depressing because all died for nothing, no happiness left that people had
question
The decision to banish Mr. Oakhurst rather than hang him is made by which members of the committee?
answer
the ones who won money from him
question
The main reaction expressed by Mother Shipton and Uncle Billy to being banished from the town is one of what?
answer
anger
Mother Shipton - wanted to cut someone's heart out
Uncle Billy - cursed a lot
question
Why does Mr. Oakhurst never drink?
answer
because it would stop his ability to make quick and good decisions
